Match Discussion: Round 20 vs Roosters @ Allianz Stadium

[PhilGould]

I know no one wants to hear it but we were right in that game until the dud call. We didn't deserve that scoreline at all. Positives: Levi & Daifiti both had very strong games. I thought King had his best game of the year. Barnett needs to tuck it under his arm and run more but I like the short passing game he has.

Lamb & Hodkinson's last tackle options were the real killers for us tonight.

 

[perverse]

Hmm sounds like the refs had another great night out. Slim chance of getting many calls on a Friday night on free to air playing a media darling club.

 

[Joel-22]

A couple of positives on an individual level.
- King continues to improve. Particularly impressed with the physicality of his defence. Last two games has made good body-on-body contact in D which is something our side lacks
- SKD, Levi and Watson all had some good touches
- Barnett continues to improve. He is the type of player who I think is going to get better and better and better. Great footwork, aggressive, good workload, can pass and offload and something i've noticed is the defence find him difficult to get him off his feet which shows great strength. Another big pre-season and he could be anything

 

[Swarzey]

Levi off the bench is immense. He changes the game for us the moment he comes on; did it last week, did it again tonight. I hope, f**king hope, that he and Ponga work together in the off season to create some stunning scoop plays off the back of quick play the balls.

 

[Spot On]

I just can't see us doing too well with Hodko and Lamb gents.

Decent halves, a full squad of our best current players and the recruits coming next year and we will be a decent side. No doubt at all.

But.... we need the halves now. It's imperative.

 

[Joel-22]

Lamb's total lack of a running game is starting to concern me I have to admit

 

[Spot On]

Brown has definitely found the plan to best suit Danny L at this point of his career. He was very good again tonight. The least of our worries now.

Thought Dan S was good considering the target he carries most weeks.

King was alright. I keep thinking he will develop into a very good prop. I really hope so. Fingers crossed.

Barnett and Buhrer very good again this week. Barnett has really pulled his finger out and has shown how good he could be. I really hope he continues on this path.

Wardle and Sione - pass. I know the stats will give Sione a big wrap.

Our backs - same as usual - pretty shit.

 

[perverse]

I just can't see us doing too well with Hodko and Lamb gents.

Decent halves, a full squad of our best current players and the recruits coming next year and we will be a decent side. No doubt at all.

But.... we need the halves now. It's imperative.

I think we'll be an improved side next year. Decent is a dream, concept or aspiration for me at this point. Not last would be awesome. I might be more confident of rising to the lofty heights of decent if we can get a good senior pack leader.

 

[K-Man]

I just can't see us doing too well with Hodko and Lamb gents.

Decent halves, a full squad of our best current players and the recruits coming next year and we will be a decent side. No doubt at all.

But.... we need the halves now. It's imperative.

We probably have the two worst halves in the comp. They are a massive part of the problem because their failures lead directly to momentum swings. They offer almost nothing positive whatsoever. It's depressing watching them slowly and predictably go about their jobs, never really doing anything different.

 

[PhilGould]

He made some positional errors at the back (which doesn't concern us) but Watson showed how dynamic he can be. He & Ponga both look like players that can make things happen out of nowhere.

 

[Burwood]

I used to think that Lamb was in a lose-lose situation because he is playing behind a badly beaten pack most weeks, but tonight it just looked like he was playing in slow motion. I lost count of the amount of times he got the ball, stood still, dummied a good 3-4m in front of the defensive line, and then lumbered up to only get tackled. It was like he was telegraphing the play and it asked absolutely no questions of the defence at all.

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

Lamb's total lack of a running game is starting to concern me I have to admit

He just looks so slow, like his feet are stuck in mud.

 

[Spot On]

I think we'll be an improved side next year. Decent is a dream, concept or aspiration for me at this point. Not last would be awesome. I might be more confident of rising to the lofty heights of decent if we can get a good senior pack leader.

Decent halves tonight and we aren't having this conversation. Our kicking, running and passing game was effing disgraceful. Horrible. Shite. Provided us with nothing.

I think, although I want an experienced prop or 2 here, we have enough up front to do the job. My concern is the halves and outside backs now. The outside backs are a huge issue. The Roosters wingers toyed with us tonight. Offloaded at will and powered over everyone. Fergo goes alright but I can't stand watching that cat Tupou dominate anyone.

 

[Seage]

Was at the game and as gallant as we were, we didn't have the attack to trouble the Roosters. As mentioned, Lamb offers no threat with the ball in hand.

I thought Connor Watson was great for them, looked lively and threatening every time he got near it - the opposite of Lamb.

Danny Levi the only player to come over the opposite side of the field and mingle with supporters. Was a nice touch on a grim night.

 

[Burwood]

I think, although I want an experienced prop or 2 here, we have enough up front to do the job. My concern is the halves and outside backs now. The outside backs are a huge issue. The Roosters wingers toyed with us tonight. Offloaded at will and powered over everyone. Fergo goes alright but I can't stand watching that cat Toupou dominate anyone.

I'm really worried about our props for next year, especially their depth. The Safiti brothers and Ese'ese have a world of talent, but we are going to struggle again next year if these are the guys we're relying on each and every week- they're a good 2-3 years away from being able to consistently lead the forwards.

Mataora is gone, Stockwell, Pauli and Starling are long odds to be here. King has potential, but I think his ceiling is going to be similar to a player like Tolman (which isn't necessarily bad I guess).

Would love to get our hands on one or two more players who are in their mid 20s and ready to give us their best three years now. I don't know who they are, or if they even exist, but the club desperately needs to find them.

 

[Spot On]

Yes depth is a real concern no doubt.

 

[slotmachine]

King had a good game finally. Dan was immense considering the the whole roosters pack teed off on him.

Matautias and gags had a comp to see who could miss the most tackles. I think Pete got the chocolates in the end but chanels 1 tackle 4 missed was really something.

Biggest positive was Watson. Outside of Barnett ( who does as many bad things as good) we have a complete lack of anyone who can make something happen from nothing. Watson (and Ponga) will change that.

 

[Zoidberg]

I also find it crazy how long we take to take a penalty kick for touch. It's like we're unable to organise on the run so we try to work out our complete set before it even begins.

 

[macavity]

He made some positional errors at the back (which doesn't concern us) but Watson showed how dynamic he can be. He & Ponga both look like players that can make things happen out of nowhere.

If we get Watson, he and Ponga are instantly our best players next year.

 

[macavity]

King was alright. I keep thinking he will develop into a very good prop. I really hope so. Fingers crossed.

He was a monster in the juniors, so the potential is there. Just a bit young/small right now, but another off-season or two to put on bulk and he could be a tank - naturally strong, but doesn't have the adult gym body yet.

Just hope his handling improves along with his strength.